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Why did we dine here? – Chungdam is Korean restaurant located in the Santa Clara Koreatown area. It has been on our bucket list for a while. A combination of a modern beautiful spot with great Korean food attracted us to this place. We have dined at several restaurants in this area, including: Jang Su Jang, Tobang, Gooyi Gooyi, and Ilbunjee #1.
This is definitely a clean, nice looking restaurant. Make reservations in advance or else you need to wait. You have the option to cook items yourself or have them cooked for you. We asked for the first available table and had food cooked for us.
Insider Tip – Bring lots of people so you can order more
Cuisine – Korean
Location – Santa Clara
Opened – 2014
Service – Chungdam Service was very good with a friendly server that help us navigate the menu, refill items, and teach us about the food.
Verdict – Chungdam is a beautiful Korean restaurant with some pretty good food. As good as this place is, the Korean restaurants in Southern California like Parks BBQ, are definitely better.
Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe.
Chungdam Signature Dishes – Galbi, Bibambop, galbi tang
Chungdam’s Menu is fairly extensive with lots of the traditional favorite as well as some more exotic dishes. If you are on a budget, come for weekday lunch, their specials are priced reasonably.
Chungdam Food Picks:
9 banchan items start the meal including some nicely done kimchi, lotus root, and fish cakes. One another visit the items changed slightly to include a beef item. Be sure to ask for free refills.
Prime Seng Gabli ($48) is very expensive but worthwhile. High quality meat, so you can taste the extra flavor. Not marinated, so you may prefer a different cut. They cooked it for us and cut it up at the table.
Yangnyum Galbi ($40) or seasoned galbi has a lot more flavor than the Prime Seng Galbi. Meat quality is not as good though.
Bulgogi Dol Pan Bibambop with beef ($18) was a good version of the classic. You can also get it with squid, octopus. They help you stir it up at the table, but we found it lacked an egg. The other 2 dishes were better.
Mushroom Soon Dubu ($13) is a mushroom tofu dish. Done well and a reasonable size too.
Chungdam Galbi Tang ($18) was very impressive. Great flavor to the soup along with tender fall off the bone ribs. They give you a dipping sauce and salt combination to accent the meat. If they forget, prod them to bring you some. Highly recommended.
Complimentary dessert soup – pumpkin
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None
Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None
Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?
Chungdam Overall Rating: 
(Very Good
Come Back? 
| Food Rating: | (Very Good) |
| Service Rating: | (Very Good) |
| Atmosphere Rating: | (Excellent) |
| Value Rating: | (Good) |
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary
| Alcohol: | Beer, Wine |
| Attire: | Casual |
| Parking: | Street |
| Reservations: | Yes |
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